(a) General rule.--Every common carrier shall construct and maintain, whenever the commission may, after hearing had upon its own motion or upon complaint, require the same, such switch or other connections with or between the lines of a like common carrier, where the same is reasonably practical, to form a continuous line of transportation, and to cause the transportation of passengers or property between points within this Commonwealth to be without unreasonable interruption or delay, and shall establish through routes and service therein, and joint rates applicable thereto, and, where practicable, shall transport passengers or property over the same without transfer from the originating facilities. In case of failure of the common carriers concerned to agree among themselves upon the division of the cost of construction, maintenance, and operation of the connections thus provided for, or the allowance to be made for the interchange of service, the commission shall ascertain and, by order, prescribe and fix the equitable and just apportionment and division of the same.
(b) Limitation.--Every common carrier and motor carrier is hereby prohibited from interchanging, receiving or delivering, with, from or to any common carrier by motor vehicle which does not have in force a certificate or permit authorizing it to transport property within the jurisdiction of this part.